Recovering From Delivery

Your baby's finally here, and you're thrilled — but you're also exhausted,
uncomfortable, on an emotional roller coaster, and wondering whether you'll ever fit
into your jeans again. Childbirth classes helped prepare you for giving birth, but
you weren't prepared for all of this!

What to Expect Physically

After your baby arrives, you'll notice some changes — both physical and emotional.

Physically, you might experience:

Sore breasts. Your breasts may be painfully engorged for several
days when your milk comes in and your nipples may be sore.

Constipation. The first postpartum bowel movement may be a few
days after delivery, and sensitive hemorrhoids, healing episiotomies, and sore muscles
can make it painful.

Episiotomy. If your perineum (the area of skin between the vagina
and the anus) was cut by your doctor or if it was torn during the birth, the stitches
may make it painful to sit or walk for a little while during healing. It also can
be painful when you cough or sneeze during the healing time.

Hemorrhoids. Although common, hemorrhoids (swollen blood vessels
in the rectum or anus) are frequently unexpected.

Urinary or fecal incontinence. The stretching of your muscles
during delivery can cause you to accidentally pass urine (pee) when you cough, laugh,
or strain or may make it difficult to control your bowel movements, especially if
you had a lengthy labor before a vaginal delivery.

"After pains." After giving birth, your uterus will continue
to have contractions for a few days. These are most noticeable when your baby nurses
or when you are given medication to reduce bleeding.

Vaginal discharge (lochia). Initially heavier than your period
and often containing clots, vaginal discharge gradually fades to white or yellow and
then stops within several weeks.

Weight. Your postpartum weight will probably be about 12 or 13
pounds (the weight of the baby, placenta, and amniotic fluid) below your full-term
weight, before additional water weight drops off within the first week as your body
regains its balance.

What to Expect Emotionally

Emotionally, you may be feeling:

"Baby blues." Many new moms have irritability, sadness, crying,
or anxiety, beginning within the first several days after delivery. These baby blues
are very common and may be related to physical changes (including hormonal changes,
exhaustion, and unexpected birth experiences) and the emotional transition as you
adjust to changing roles and your new baby. Baby blues usually go away within 1 to
2 weeks.

Postpartum depression.
More serious and longer lasting than the baby blues, this condition may cause mood
swings, anxiety, guilt, and persistent sadness. PPD can be diagnosed up to a year
after giving birth, and it's more common in women with a history of depression, multiple
life stressors, and a family history of depression.

Also, when it comes to intimacy, you and your partner may be on completely different
pages. Your partner may be ready to pick up where you left off before baby's
arrival, whereas you may not feel comfortable enough — physically or emotionally
— and might crave nothing more than a good night's sleep. Doctors often
ask women to wait a few weeks before having sex to allow them to heal.

The Healing Process

It took your body months to prepare to give birth, and it takes time to recover.
If you've had a cesarean
section (C-section), it can take even longer because surgery requires a longer
healing time. If unexpected, it may have also raised emotional issues.

Pain is greatest the first few days after the surgery and should gradually subside.
Your doctor will advise you on precautions to take after surgery, and give you directions
for bathing and how to begin gentle exercises to speed recovery and help avoid constipation.

Things to know:

Drink 8-10 glasses of water daily.

Expect vaginal discharge.

Avoid stairs and lifting until your doctor says these activities are OK.

Don't take a bath or go swimming until the doctor says it's OK.

Don't drive until your doctor says it's OK. Also wait until you can make sudden
movements and wear a safety belt properly without discomfort.

If the incision becomes red or swollen, call your doctor.

Birth Control

You can become pregnant again before your first postpartum period. Even though
this is less likely if you are exclusively breastfeeding (day and night, no solids,
no bottles, at least 8 times a day, never going more than 4 hours during the
day or 6 hours at night without feeding), have not had a period, and your baby is
younger than 6 months old, it is still possible.

If you want to protect against pregnancy, discuss your options with your doctor.
This may include barrier methods (like condoms or diaphragms), an IUD, pills, a patch,
an implantable device, or shots.

Breastfeeding

You need plenty of sleep, lots of fluids, and good nutrition, especially
if you're breastfeeding. An easy way to stay on top of drinking enough fluids is to
have a glass of water whenever your baby nurses. At least until your milk supply is
well established, try to avoid caffeine, which causes loss of fluid through urine
and sometimes makes babies wakeful and fussy.

If you have any breastfeeding
problems, talk to your doctor, midwife, or a lactation specialist. Your clinic
or hospital lactation specialist can advise you on how to deal with any breastfeeding
problems. Relieve clogged milk ducts with breast massage, frequent nursing, feeding
after a warm shower, and warm moist compresses applied throughout the day.

If you develop a fever or chills or your breast becomes tender or red, you may
have an infection (mastitis) and need antibiotics. Call your doctor if this happens.
Continue nursing or pumping from both breasts, though, and drink plenty of fluids.

Engorged Breasts

Engorged breasts will feel better as your breastfeeding pattern becomes established
or, if you're not breastfeeding, when your body stops producing milk — usually
within a few days.

Episiotomy Care

Continue sitz baths (sitting in just a few inches of water and covering the buttocks,
up to the hips, in the water) using cool water for the first few days, then warm water
after that. Squeeze the cheeks of your bottom together when you sit to avoid pulling
painfully on the stitches. Sitting on a pillow may be more comfortable than sitting
on a hard surface.

Use a squirt bottle with warm water to wash the area with water when you use the
toilet; gently pat dry. After a bowel movement, wipe from front to back to avoid infection.
Reduce swelling with ice packs or chilled witch hazel pads. Local anesthetic sprays
also can be helpful.

Talk to your doctor about taking an anti-inflammatory drug like ibuprofen to help
with the pain and swelling.

Exercise

Exercise as soon as you've been cleared by your doctor to help restore your strength
and pre-pregnancy body, increase your energy and sense of well-being, and reduce constipation.
Begin slowly and increase gradually. Walking and swimming are excellent choices.

Hemorrhoids and Constipation

Alternating warm sitz baths and cold packs can help with hemorrhoids. It also can
help to sit on an inflatable donut cushion.

Ask your doctor about a stool softener. Don't use laxatives, suppositories, or
enemas without your doctor's OK. Increase your intake of fluids and fiber-rich fruits
and vegetables. After your doctor has cleared it, exercise can be very helpful.

Sexual Relations

Your body needs time to heal. Doctors usually recommend waiting 4-6 weeks to have sex to reduce the risk of infection, increased bleeding,
or re-opening healing tissue.

Begin slowly, with kissing, cuddling, and other intimate activities. You'll probably
notice reduced vaginal lubrication (this is due to hormones and usually is temporary),
so a water-based lubricant might be useful. Try to find positions that put less pressure
on sore areas and are most comfortable for you. Tell your partner if you're sore or
frightened about pain during sexual activity — talking it over can help both
of you to feel less anxious and more secure about resuming your sex life.

Incontinence

Urinary or fecal incontinence often eases gradually as your body returns to its
normal prepregnancy state. Encourage the process with Kegel exercises, which help
strengthen the pelvic floor muscles. To find the correct muscles, pretend you're trying
to stop peeing. Squeeze those muscles for a few seconds, then relax (your doctor can
check to be sure you're doing them correctly).

Wear a sanitary pad for protection, and let the doctor know about any incontinence
you have.

What Else You Can Do to Help Yourself

You'll get greater enjoyment in your new role as mom — and it will be much
easier — if you care for both yourself and your new baby. For example:

Get plenty of exercise and fresh air — either with or without your baby,
if you have someone who can babysit.

Schedule regular time — even just 15 minutes a day after the baby goes to
sleep — for you and your partner to be alone and talk.

Make time each day to enjoy your baby, and encourage your partner to do so, too.

Lower your housekeeping and gourmet meal standards — there's time for that
later. If visitors stress you, restrict them temporarily.

Talk with other new moms (perhaps from your birthing class) and create your own
informal support group.

Getting Help From Others

Remember, Wonder Woman is fiction. Ask your partner, friends, and family for help.
Jot down small, helpful things people can do as they occur to you. When people offer
to help, check the list. For example:

Ask friends or relatives to pick things up for you at the market, stop by and
hold your baby while you take a walk or a bath, or just give you an extra hand. Or
ask loved ones to drop off a meal.

Hire a neighborhood teen — or a cleaning service — to clean the house
occasionally, if possible.